![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/DSC07146.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nThe sun was shining, and the Shroppie was full of lovely produce, from nature’s finest crab apples, to local stalls with lots of goodies to choose from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nAll that greenery comes at a price though – a fallen tree was across the canal, barring all progress. Another boat had come across it earlier at about 9am, and then reversed all the way back to the nearest accessible bridge so the CRT guys could catch a lift with all their kit once they arrived, so we waited back with them in case they needed more cargo space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nThe cavalry arrived with their chainsaws a couple of hours later and we followed after them into battle against the tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/DSC07166.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nLuckily there were lots of boaters to lend a hand. After a couple of hours all the branches were cleared away, but the main trunk was too deep underwater to reach all the way with the chainsaw. It was most of the way through though, and after a couple of attempts ramming the lead boat onto it, and a bit more pulling all together on a rope, it finally parted in two and we could pull it out and chop it up bit by bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/20190818_130406.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/20190818_120338.jpg\")
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<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nNeedless to say, by this time we were well past 12pm time to meet up in Market Drayton with Donald and Beth, so instead they walked up the canal with Eira to meet us for a late lunch on board. Sarah then walked back with them to the car whilst I stayed to help clear the tree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By about 3pm there was enough space for boats to safely pass; the sunken part was marked with a rope and some bags and left for tomorrow when they can bring a workboat up to lift it out fully. I then cast off to get to Market Drayton and meet up with Sarah again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soon after passing the tree, I passed the boat ‘Dogtannian’. Sarah and I both loved the cartoon series as kids, and their motto of “All for one and one for all” seemed particularly fitting for today’s joint effort clearing the tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/DSC07174.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSomeone said we needed to do more music\/video embeds, so for anyone left in the dark about Dogtanian, perhaps the below will enlighten you a little!<\/p>\n\n\n\n